Tuesday Recruitin' Pins Hopes On Hoops Again Comment Count

Ace

Save Us, Basketball

The football recruiting news is as expected; later in this post you'll read about Michigan's latest decommitment and multiple commits visiting other schools. Recruiting news on the basketball front has an outside shot of being much, much better in the very near future, so let's begin with that.

Perry "PJ" Dozier Jr., a five-star in the 2015 class, is a 6'6" true point guard in the Darius Morris mold. The South Carolina native will announce his decision tomorrow at 12:30 pm between five schools: Georgetown, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Despite a very good official visit to Ann Arbor back in September, it looks unlikely Dozier will choose Michigan, unfortunately; basketball recruitniks expect it to come down to Louisville and South Carolina, with the Cardinals seemingly having the edge. So I guess this isn't great news, barring a huge surprise. But it's not bad news, at least?

Anyway, I'll have a much more complete outlook on M's basketball recruiting in the near future. In the meantime, the bad news...

[Hit THE JUMP if you want to, I guess.]

Another One Down

Goodbye, Darrin Kirkland. The four-star linebacker announced his decommitment last week after taking an official visit to Ole Miss the previous weekend. Per Scout's Allen Trieu, Kirkland is now considering Ole Miss, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Virginia Tech, and Kentucky; Kirkland indicated that Michigan is no longer under consideration:

Asked if Michigan was still in the picture or completely out of his recruitment, he simply responded, "out."

That seems pretty cut-and-dry, but TomVH reported the next day that Kirkland's father told him Michigan is still in the mix. A Michigan source went even further, telling Steve Lorenz that Kirkland "will end up back at Michigan."

I think Kirkland's original statement is likely to hold. Lorenz mentioned in his article that one of the biggest draws to Michigan for Kirkland is the presence of Greg Mattison; I'm not sure if you've heard, but the coaching staff is under some duress at the moment. If Kirkland's commitment is contingent on the coaching situation remaining unchanged, it's very unlikely he'll find his way back into the class.

Other Looking Around

Lorenz also has the latest on Saginaw WR commit Brian Cole, who's in the midst of taking multiple visits to "cover his bases" while reportedly staying firm to Michigan behind the scenes ($):

As was reported last night by Bucknuts analyst Bill Kurelic, Michigan commitment Brian Cole is planning on taking three official visits before the end of the season. Those visits will be this weekend (Purdue), November 22nd (Nebraska) and "sometime in December" (Ohio State).

Cole already took one official visit to Wisconsin last month for their game against Illinois on October 11th. The visit reportedly went well, and the Badgers could still be in consideration.

Purdue, where Cole visited last weekend, is unlikely to be a factor. The others could be a threat, however, especially if Michigan's coaching uncertainty extends into December; Cole plans to enroll early, and his father told Sam Webb the current timeline:

Brian Cole, Sr.:  “I think we need to be settled by the end of November, we need to know what’s going on.  I don’t want to take it too much past that.  He’s done December 19th.  It’s coming pretty fast.  I don’t want to go much past November. “

The elder Cole wouldn't reveal the plan for what would happen if Hoke is fired. Lorenz's sources, FWIW, expect Cole to end up in the class regardless of the coaching situation.

Cass Tech RB Mike Weber told Rivals' Josh Helmholdt he plans to take visits ($):

Weber said he still has a good relationship with the coaching staff at Michigan, but he will continue to explore other options in the coming weeks and months.



"I just know that I want to take my visits right now and go from there," Weber said.



There were three additional schools besides Michigan State and Michigan that Weber said he is in close contact with and they are Mississippi State, Ohio State and Wisconsin. 

Weber had tentative plans to go to East Lansing last weekend, but he wasn't sure he'd be there as of Saturday morning, and I can't find any confirmation that he took the trip. That, at least, would be a positive sign.

Finally, safety commit Tyree Kinnel cancelled a planned trip to West Virginia last weekend. That was his only scheduled visit; he's been steadfast in his commitment thus far.

Etc.

At one point last summer, Michigan was on commit watch for 2016 Traverse City OT Thiyo Lukusa. That is no longer the case.

If you're wondering how a hypothetical 2016 class with Brady Hoke still coaching Michigan would go... that's a bad sign.

Lastly, Michigan offered top in-state 2017 prospect Corey Malone-Hatcher this morning. He also holds offers from Ohio State and Penn State.

Comments

MaizeNBlu628

November 11th, 2014 at 4:25 PM ^

I would guess Core Malone-Hatcher is probably a heavy Michigan lean. I'm in a facebook Michigan Recruiting group that his dad posts in all the time, and is a huge Michigan fan.

FieldingBLUE

November 12th, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^

There's been precious little DI talent from SW Michigan in recent years.

What's the latest on Wesley French, another SJHS guy who is Class of '15?

I've seen he's been offered by Iowa State now and visited Illinois and Indiana. There were also rumblings that Ohio State and Sparty are interested in him as well. Seems like another solid prospect that we'd be smart to keep connected too, especially if we keep hemorraghing recruits.

And it'd be cool to have a St. Joseph to Michigan pipeline. Those guys are already used to touching the banner and Maize & Blue.

Tate

November 11th, 2014 at 4:30 PM ^

For some reason I have a good feeling about Dozier; him moving his decision last Saturday to this Wednesday makes me feel a little optimistic.

123blue

November 11th, 2014 at 4:50 PM ^

It's better for the psyche to just skip past football recruiting news until the new coach is (presumably) hired.  A splashy hire could bring everyone back into the fold, bring a pack of previously uninterested 5*s into consideration or a mix of both.  The worst case scenario would be another year of Hoke (who I like, but am a realist...and I enjoy wining games against quality opponents) and months of "kids are waiting to see how the season turns out.

WolvinLA2

November 11th, 2014 at 5:22 PM ^

All recruiting news gets put on mental hold by me until a new coach is named.  Most of the kids, committed or not, are in some kind of limbo unless they just love Michigan.  So whether they stay committed, take visits, decommit, whatever, all makes little difference from now till then.  Once a new coach is named, some will stay, some will come back, some will stay gone, and some new kids will come into the picture.  But that is all unknown until the change is actually made.

M-Dog

November 11th, 2014 at 10:23 PM ^

Think about the unnecessary chaos and destruction to recruiting if Hoke winds up staying.  Michigan will have completely blown up two recruiting classes.  For nothing. 

Then if he loses a couple of games in a row next year it will start all over again.

I just don't see how you can keep him on.  If they do it, they would have to give him some kind of iron clad 5 year extension.  Why would they do that?  It's not like there are no other coaches with integrity that can actually win.

getsome

November 12th, 2014 at 3:31 PM ^

IF he loses couple games in a row next year???  that would be inevitable (just being realistic).  if they retain hoke for another year, its not only guaranteed the program further regresses but also guaranteed the decision pushes away countless more fans.  the man cannot competently coach football at this level, we all have known this, they cannot keep him under any circumstances - any.    

i understand they want to limit the period of time of any coaching vacancy, but hoke needs to go ASAP as every additional day on campus = negative performance / perception.  sure hes a good guy, but he "has not performed to the expectations of the position," period.  hes a few million richer so im sure he and his fam will be just fine, time to move on ASAP.  

coaching decision sooner than later helps expedite the attrition process in addition to recruiting - theres bound to be at least several transfers on current roster and both parties are better off with quicker resolution. 

by the way, larry footes comments are accurate - it gets tough to deny after hearing the same facts from numerous former players.  attitude and culture mean everything in locker room and can be just as vital as scheme and coaching - it helps when players feel they absolutely must succeed, must win - "the pattern" mentioned so often hits point of diminishing returns

Mike60586

November 11th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^

....And enjoy reading your posts.  However, with the current state of our coaching situation and the constant depressing news of our recruiting...

You get this until a new coach is hired...

blueday

November 11th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^

Hurry. I still prefer kids that see the big picture and "get it". Michigan is the total package and specific to football...we will be back sooner than later

Blue Since B.C.

November 11th, 2014 at 5:53 PM ^

Recruiting posts are now like Hoke's post-game pressers.  Depressing, irrelevant, and floating around in purgatory until changes are made.

Ace deserves a medal of honor for continuing to post these.

Perkis-Size Me

November 11th, 2014 at 6:02 PM ^

Whatever. Unless Hoke is fired and we bring in a grand slam hire like Harbaugh, get used to this. Recruits see the writing in the wall, and as of right now, why would they want to commit to a coach who's dead in the water? I wonder if Hoke even has an answer for kids when they ask him if he'll even be around next year.

That being said, its great to see we're getting consideration from elite recruits. We'll still likely lose a lot of those battles to the blue bloods, but Beilein's progress with this team and his proven ability to get his players to the NBA are surely taking notice with kids all around the country.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

alum96

November 11th, 2014 at 6:59 PM ^

If I recall, Urban was named immediately after their season ended and hafd a month to do nothing but recruit while Fickell retained his job through the bowl game.  So apples to oranges.  It will be imperative to have a guy in place by no later than 2nd week of January.   Any high profile college candidate is going to be in a bowl and Harbaugh obviously at best is available last day or two of December.   If Cole is serious about that deadline it would not bode well.

All this said I'd trade 10 players in this class for the right coaching staff.  TCU and KSU are winning with classes in the 50s-60s.   They both have 2 of the top 10-15 staffs in the nation. ASU is winning with classes in the 40 area. Etc.  Having 1 bad class sandwiched by a lot of good ones should not matter one bit in the big picture.

west2

November 11th, 2014 at 6:16 PM ^

Lets face it, its the inevitable reaction to the coming coaching change. If you remember when Hoke was hired the following year was a huge year for Michigan recruiting.  There is no doubt that any new hire will create a positive buzz for Michigan.  A timeline will depend on the last 2 games if they win one then the likely bowls would be Heart of Dallas or the Quick Lane Bowl here in Detroit and both play December 26th otherwise the last game will be in C-bus on November 29th.   Gotta hang in there its going get better.     

JohnnyV123

November 11th, 2014 at 6:53 PM ^

So, let's see if I have this right.

1. Hoke puts together a class of guys who want to play for him and his coaching staff.

2. Michigan has terrible year vs. expectations

3. Michigan fanbase puts pressure on President to fire AD to get an AD to fire Hoke

4. Commits explore other options based on the uncertainty in the program

5. Blame Hoke for poor recruiting??

Bit unfair no? I guess you could argue that #4 happened before #3 but it was not til the whole hot seat talk really got going and after the Morris concussion scandal that recruits started dropping like flies.

I'm still for firing Hoke. It just annoys me when it seems like people are clinging to any possible reason to fire him and giving him (and the team) absolutely no credit for winning games against teams like Northwestern and Penn State. Yeah they are supposed to be inferior competition, but at least we still won the games. He still should get fired for having not won a big game since year one but at least credit the man for winning some games.

west2

November 11th, 2014 at 8:03 PM ^

it came down to a final play, a 2-point conversion that Pat Fitz could have elected to PAT and go to overtime.  Saturday's game between M and NW was a poor performance displaying a lack of progress particularly offensively.  Are our expectations of the leaders and the best relegated to stumbling to a win against a really weak team?   I don't agree with that, we can do better!

Magnus

November 12th, 2014 at 7:59 AM ^

A win is a win. I'm sorry, but Michigan's defense dominated Northwestern for about three quarters of that game. And when Michigan needed a stop on the two-point conversion, they got it - Siemian was either going to get crushed, or he was going to throw back to the tight end, who was covered by Delano Hill.

west2

November 12th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^

It's a W and that's a good thing in sports always.  Howeva, the perspective I am referring to is the larger issue of are we progressing toward where we think this program should be?   If your goal here is only to get to a bowl, any bowl and have the most popular coach around well then we are where we want to be.  But if you aspire to a championship then it's pretty clear we aren't even close.  We can debate whether this season is a bump in the road or a trend.  I of course believe it's time to move on, have seen enough and support the vision of building the program toward a championship. 

AZ-Blue

November 11th, 2014 at 6:57 PM ^

UM Hoops is that rebound girlfriend that saves you from a life of loneliness and despair after the breakup from UM Football.   And just in time for the holidays....

123blue

November 13th, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^

I know the source (Freep) is hated but Mike Farrell says that Cole is very likely gone and maybe Weber too.  I hope he's wrong.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2014/11/13/brian-cole-michigan-football-recruiting/18959743/

...though I don't think any of this conjecture matters if we (and now for some conjecture) get Harbaugh.  These kids will either stick with Michigan or we'll get other star athletes to come.  Hopefully, they stick as it's always great to get the best players in the state.